Hayu is an energetic, curious, and playful young boy from Ethiopia. He enjoys exploring his surroundings and playing with anything he can find. He shares a particularly close and affectionate bond with his father. Hayu lives with his parents, two sisters, and older brother in a loving family environment. Hayu was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Hayu is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 21st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Hayu’s father, saying: “My greatest wish is for my child to regain his health and undergo a successful surgery. I am deeply grateful for the support and services provided by this organization. Without this assistance, my child might still be waiting for the treatment he needs. May God bless this organization and everyone involved in helping children like my son receive the care they deserve.”

13-year-old Tracy's dream is to be an accountant. Her learning, however, has been marked by challenges beyond her control. She was born with hearing impairment and lived the initial years of her life unable to make out sounds. When she turned five, her mother got concerned and took her to the hospital for medical attention. The medical team recommended fitting of hearing aids, but unfortunately, Tracy's mother, who raises her on her own and earns a modest income working in a salon, could not afford the cost of the hearing aids. She turned to family, friends and well-wishers who helped raise enough funds, and at six years old, Tracy had hearing aids fitted. The treatment marked a turning point in her life. Tracy was able to return to school and, although she had fallen behind her peers, she began making remarkable progress. For the first time, Tracy could hear her mother calling her and respond appropriately. She could also hear her teachers instead of relying solely on lip-reading to follow lessons. More importantly, she gained the ability to interact, communicate and build friendships with other children, giving her a renewed sense of belonging and confidence. Over the years, doctors observed encouraging progress in her development and communication. In January this year, however, Tracy began experiencing complications with her hearing aids. They gradually stopped functioning properly and sometimes produced excessive noise, making it difficult for her to hear and communicate. This setback significantly affected her education, making her miss school and once again experience the isolation she had overcome. Earlier this month, her mother brought her back to AIC Kijabe Hospital for further assessment. Following an examination, the doctors established that her hearing aids had failed and that she urgently required a new pair. Unfortunately, her mother remains unable to meet the cost due to her limited financial resources. Presently, Tracy is struggling to keep up with her peers academically and socially. The loss of her hearing aids has once again placed barriers between her and the world she had begun to experience so fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tracy receive treatment. On October 30th, Tracy is scheduled to have new hearing aids fitted, so she could regain her ability to hear, learn, communicate and interact confidently with those around her. Now, Tracy's family needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. Tracy says: "Since my hearing aids stopped working, I have been unable to attend school, which has made me fall behind my peers."

For sixteen years, 50-year-old Zione has suffered from uncomfortable gynecological symptoms that have affected her quality of life and overall health. "The pain is too much for me," Zione said. "So I don't sleep and don't have the peace of mind I used to have before." Her worsening condition has required her family to miss work to care for her, impacting the family's already modest earnings. For years, she sought a diagnosis and treatment but was unable to get the help she needed. Recently, Zione was reviewed at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy. Zione and her husband’s combined income, from her work as a small-scale farmer and his work as a welder, is not enough to cover the cost of her surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Zione's surgery on October 2nd. After the treatment, Zione will finally have relief after years of pain, missed sleep, unsuccessful treatments, and interruptions to her life and work.